Is spiritual life easy or difficult? Many a times, practicing devotees are faced with this question. Spiritual life, when seen from borderlines, can appear easy. When one considers only the minimum basic things to be done, then spiritual life may appear easy. But when lofty principles of surrender, humility like a blade of grass, tolerance like a tree are discussed, then one may feel that it is impossible to attain that gold standard.

Shrila Prabhupada, at multiple places in his purports has mentioned both the ease and the difficulty of spiritual life.

Regarding the arduousness of spiritual life, he says:

“The path of spiritual realization is undoubtedly difficult.” BG 4.34

“The most difficult task in life is to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” SB 4.8.69 P

Also, regarding the ease of spiritual life, Shrila Prabhupada writes,

“One simply has to practice the easy process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and fully engage himself in devotional service.” BG 12.6-7

“As soon as one places the Supreme Personality of Godhead within one’s heart, everything becomes easy and successful.” 4.8.22 P

“The process recommended in this verse for crossing the ocean of nescience is easy not only for the devotee but also for common persons who follow the devotee.” SB 10.2.30 P

How can we reconcile? Both of these appear to be contradictory. The MSG formula stated below can help us make the MOST difficult things very easy in spiritual life.

1] M – Mercy

Lord Caitanya’s mercy can work wonders in the life of a sadhaka.
Shrila Prabhupada writes, “We should always remember that to become a bona fide devotee of the Lord is not an easy task, but in this age, by the mercy of Lord Caitanya, it has been made very easy.” SB 4.8.72

How to obtain the grace of Lord Caitanya? It is possible simply by remembering Him.

Caitanya Caritamrita states,
kathancana smṛte yasmin
duṣkaraṁ sukaraṁ bhavet
vismṛte viparītaṁ syāt
śrī-caitanyaṁ namāmi tam
Things that are very difficult to do become easy to execute if one somehow or other simply remembers Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. But if one does not remember Him, even easy things become very difficult. To this Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu I offer my respectful obeisances. CC Adi 14.1

Lord Caitanya’s munificence – mahavadanyata, pervades everything we do in Krishna Consciousness. We simply have to make the effort of remembering Him. And His abundant grace will follow His remembrance.

2] S – Sincerity

Shrila Prabhupada writes, “The process of bhakti-yoga is simultaneously very difficult and very easy to perform. It is a fact, however, that for a sincere person devotional service is very easy. But for one who is not determined and sincere, this process is very difficult.” SB 4.8.30 P

Dhruva could attain the Lord within a span of six months. Draupadi in great earnestness called out for the Lord, and the Lord protected her. Gajendra, with full sincerity prayed to the Lord, and the Lord came to save him from the crocodile.

3] G – Guidance

Crossing an ocean alone is a very difficult task. But when we have an expert captain, and we have favorable winds, it becomes easy. By the grace of Shrila Prabhupada, we have abundant guidance available to perfect our spiritual lives. When we consult our superiors and take each and every step in spiritual life, we can never go wrong. And with such practice under guidance, we can also cross over the ocean of nescience following in their footsteps.

Shrila Prabhupada writes, “If one takes these instructions from a spiritual master with great reverence (ādṛta) and practices them accordingly, he will find this bhakti-yoga process to be very, very easy.” SB 4.24.71

“The best process is to accept the instructions of the previous ācāryas and follow them. Then God realization and self-realization become extremely easy.” SB 7.9.18 P

Krishna’s guidance helped Arjuna go beyond his despair and hopelessness, and he attained victory over in inner & outer selves, and also the war. Devahuti simply served Kardama and attained perfection in her spiritual life. Narada’s guidance helped Vyasa to understand his mistake and to write the epic Srimad Bhagavatam.

Thus, our sincerity in execution of the principles by following the instructions of spiritual master and remembering Lord Caitanya can make any difficult thing EASY in Krishna Consciousness.